How To Reach Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, a symbol of the most ancient history of Western Civilisation as well as a cradle for its progress. From the times when Athens honed thinkers like Socrates and Sophocles and Pericles to today, when it is a brilliant burst of culture and modernisation, attracting travellers from world over, the city has made a mark on the world. Already starry-eyed about all that Athens has on offer? Well, do not get too late. Here’s how you can quickly and easily reach Athens.

Athens is remarkably one of the most visited cities of Western-Europe and hence is very well connected to almost all of the world by air. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is loaded only 27 km away from the city centre and receives regular flights from India (Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata etc) with carriers including Air India, Jet Airways, Etihad, Egypt Air, Qatar and Turkish Airlines. From the airport, you have the option of coaches, buses, hired cars or regular taxis to take you to your next destination in the city.

Railways in Greece are not that well developed or maintained, for that matter. A part of the reason is that Greece has a lot many islands and it is difficult to connect all by rail. So you do not have many options to travel by train to Athens. There are only two major rail lines plying from other Greek cities to Athens. Hence we advise against trains, instead use flights or waterways.

There are a few ways to drive to Athens from India, but they include crossing trough numerous countries and obtaining their visas, some of which are not in a fit peaceful state. But it is preferable if you take road trips to Athens from anywhere else in Europe, like Turkey or Serbia or even Bulgaria. There are many buses, coaches and taxis plying between these countries and Greece. You can also drive if you have your international driving licence with you.

Greece is surrounded by water, Greece has a couple of lovely islands and has a classic mediterranean touch due to the blue of the sea waters. Hence it is a cakewalk for people to take waterways when travelling to Greece. For Athens specifically, there is the Port of Piraeus, which is Greece’s biggest seaport and ferries out everything from ships to boats to yachts to small vessels across the sea on voyage, cruise as well as island taxing. You can reach the Port of Piraeus from Turkish ports like Istanbul, Surmene, Izmir etc or from other Mediterranean or Balkan countries. Mostly all Mediterranean cruises stop at Athens.

Athens is a modern metro city in more ways than one, including its wide network of roads, metros and trams. You will be surprised at the ease of city transport here. There are regulated bus networks, metro services, trams in smaller neighbourhoods and also waterways from port to port. You will also find Uber here, as well as tourist cabs that you can hire. The yellow taxis hailed on road are also not bad, except, some drivers dupe tourists near famous locations. So be aware.